From laminate to loose lay: trade show flooring is ready for change
A floor that’s used once at a trade show, only to end up in the landfill? Unfortunately, that’s still a daily reality. Especially with carpet, PVC, and laminate, these materials are often discarded after just one use.
At KOP, we’re no longer rolling out the red carpet for waste. That’s why we’re increasingly choosing materials that can be reused multiple times and eventually, recycled instead of thrown away.
A perfect example? Loose lay PVC flooring. A product that quite literally lays the foundation for a future-proof approach.
Loose lay flooring: what is it, and why does it matter?
The name says it all: loose lay flooring is installed without glue, simply laid on top of the subfloor. Unlike traditional laminate or carpet, it’s held in place with a click system and/or framed between walls or profiles.
It’s fast to install and even faster to remove. No adhesives, no mess, no waste. Ideal for trade shows and events, where schedules are tight, and flexibility is key. Sounds like a win-win, right?
Putting it to the test at KOP
There are now several types and brands of loose lay flooring on the market. To select the right one, we worked with our trusted flooring partner JMT. They had already compiled a range of sustainable PVC flooring options specifically for stand builders.
We decided to run a blind test together with JMT and our field team.
Erik, Project Manager at KOP:
“We set up a test floor in our workshop and laid down different brands and types of loose lay flooring. We assessed them on quality, ease of use, and appearance. Forbo’s loose lay flooring came out on top across the board.”
That result was no surprise, and very welcome. Forbo doesn’t just stand out in terms of product quality, but also in several other key areas:
- True transparency: Forbo handles recycling completely in-house, with no grey areas. Thanks to this closed-loop system, the story is clear and easy to explain to us and to our clients.
- Exceptional quality: Forbo’s Loose Lay features an extra-thick wear layer (1 mm), allowing for longer life and more reuse. Every additional show the floor survives is a win.
- Reliable sustainability data: Forbo supplies clear, verifiable Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), helping us measure and improve our environmental footprint.
From reuse to recycle
But the biggest advantage of Forbo’s Loose Lay? Reusability.
While good-quality laminate might survive a few shows if handled with extreme care, Loose Lay can be reused up to 20 times. And even after that, it doesn’t end up in the trash.
We spoke to Saskia Bibbe-Husslage, Product Manager at Forbo and responsible for the Loose Lay collection:
Saskia - Productmanager at Forbo
“Through our Take Back program, used and damaged floorboards are collected, sorted, cleaned, and completely reused to produce new PVC flooring. After a trade show, KOP returns any unusable or worn flooring to us for recycling.”
“This entire process is kept in-house. While some competitors ship their waste streams to Eastern Europe or Asia, we opt for high-quality recycling right here in our Coevorden facility.”
Waste streams
More than a nice story
Is this just a marketing tale? Absolutely not.
Saskia:
“We’ve been reprocessing faulty rolls of PVC in our production lines for over 20 years. But with the EU introducing stricter regulations, manufacturers will be required to take back used materials by 2030. We take that seriously. It’s why we created our Take Back program to raise the recycled content in our products. Not just in the Netherlands, but internationally. Even scraps from France and Scandinavia are coming our way now. It currently costs more than it saves, but it’s an investment in the future.”
Is loose lay more expensive?
Erik:
“Yes, the upfront cost is higher. But as an exhibitor, you’ll still spend less than with traditional laminate. That’s because we rent out the flooring instead of selling it. And the rental price is lower than buying a new floor. Since we reuse the material, the investment pays off over time.”
Does it limit design freedom?
At KOP, design always comes first. We begin with the best possible design, and then look at which loose lay option fits the concept.
With a smart selection of colors, we’re able to deliver the creative freedom clients expect without compromising on sustainability.
The challenges
Despite the clear benefits, many industry players are still hesitant.
Saskia:
“Some stand builders find it inconvenient. Why go through the hassle of taking flooring back and storing it, when you can just throw it away? Organizers worry about added costs and logistics. So some choose the easy route: toss it.”
Worse yet, some companies buy loose lay flooring—but never return it. This is Forbo’s biggest challenge.
Saskia:
“Getting people to actually return the material. There’s no direct financial reward like there is for bottles or cans, so many find it too much effort. Some even suggest: ‘Just pile it all up, and we’ll take it from there.’ That often ends up processed in Eastern Europe or China into low-quality products. We want to maintain our high standards. That’s why we ask for our material back. The question is: how do you motivate people to care?”
Building the future
Circular construction is the foundation of the future in stand building. By choosing Loose Lay flooring and Forbo’s Take Back program, we reduce waste, lower our carbon emissions, and prove that sustainability and premium quality can go hand in hand.
By highlighting initiatives like this, we aim to show that sustainable choices are not only possible they’re profitable for everyone involved. It’s not always the easiest path, but it’s the right one. And that’s the one we’ll continue to take.
Will you join us?